Jess N
Last year, I read and loved Resilient by Patricia Vanasse. It was one of those surprising books. The kind that are a slow burn, but that finish strong. I've been eagerly awaiting the sequel ever since! There were so many questions I had, and the cliffhanger was an evil one. Let's just say that I had very high hopes for Awakened. I couldn't wait to see if everything I wanted was there.
Livia was the same main character that I knew and loved, if a little more tough around the edges. From a girl who wasn't comfortable in her own skin, to a girl who is willing to put everything on the line to do what is right, her transformation was instantly recognizable. My biggest problem with the last book was that Adam seemed to steal Livia's fire. The romance ate away her tough outer shell. This time around, she was once again on her own, and I loved her all the more for it.
Truth be told, I actually enjoyed the characters in this installment much more than the first. There was a lot more depth to everyone who I had already met but, best of all, there were new characters in the mix. I enjoyed meeting each one of them in turn. By the time this motley crew of rebels was assembled, the chemistry between them was perfect and I was lost in it.
Still, there were some things that didn't really click for me in Awakened. The biggest being that this particular book isn't very action heavy. While there is just enough forward movement to keep things fresh, and keep the characters growing, it wasn't as exciting as the first book. I know this is because there's still one book left, but it didn't change the fact that I missed that dynamic. Also, I wasn't a big fan of the ending. It seemed to take everything I knew about these characters, and throw it out the window. Perhaps it's a ploy, and I'll regret thinking that? I just don't know.
Overall, I'd say this is a fairly solid middle book. It gets the job done, especially in the character development department. I'm just hoping the next book is even more exciting.
Okay, color me impressed! You've heard me praise the wonders of Middle Grade fiction and its wonderful authors many a time, and yet it never fails to stun me how much goodness comes out of the books written for this age group. Ross Welford has penned a gem here. Time Traveling With A Hamster simultaneously pulls together the importance of family, the grey areas we face when making hard decisions, the beauty (and issues) associated with being passionate about something, and even owning up to ones own mistakes. I am so thrilled to have read this, and can't recommend it enough!
Now, let me put out there that there are actually a fair amount of high end concepts in this book. As a reader who believes fully in not talking down to young readers, I was smitten with this. Al Chadhury's father was a brilliant man. One who wasn't afraid to dabble in science and theory, ultimately leading to his discovery of time travel. Through Al's travels in time, and the letters his father left behind, he learns so much about everything his dad was passionate about. There are brilliant descriptions of the theory of relativity, and examples that actually make it palatable for young minds. There's even discussions of memory devices. Suffice it to say, I was blown away by the sheer amount of lessons in here.
Better still, none of those lessons seemed to slow down the overall pace of the story. I admit that it took a few chapters to really get going, as some books do, but once I was immersed that was it. Al's quest to save his dad flew by. His brushes with danger, his quick thinking to get out of hairy situations, his realizations that he might not be as clever as the thought he was, all of it just blurred together into this gorgeous story that wouldn't let me go. The ending is perfection, especially for an MG read, and I couldn't have been happier.
Long story short? This is a must have for reading lists of all ages, but specifically I think this would be a wonderful book to share as a family. There are just so many good ideas caught up in here, I feel like it would be an amazing read to share between parents and their children. Ross Welford has written the type of story that transcends age groups, and that's no easy feat! Add this to your reading list. You won't regret it.
What a simply perfect graphic novel adaptation! Yes friends, this is an actual adaptation that sticks to the classic that we all know and love. No retelling, no reimagining, just adding gorgeous illustrations to an already wonderful and whimsical story. I can't tell you how giddy I was upon realizing that Alice's adventures would be intact. There's something so satisfying about seeing things that were only in your imagination, brought to life by people who understand how important they are.
Leah Moore's artwork is a little less colorful than I originally expected, but the more I read the more I realized how well it fit the story. The muted colors lend themselves well to the dreamlike quality of Alice's rather strange encounters. I must admit, Alice herself really steals the show in terms of character illustration. She's utterly adorable, which makes her that much easier to follow along with. She is set against characters with mad grins, warped faces, and slightly terrifying bodies. That beautiful contrast between her world, and the one she has found at the bottom of the rabbit hole, is perfection.
I do believe that this would be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of anyone who has a soft spot for Alice in Wonderland. Journeying along with her, reliving the magic of Wonderland, it's all made that much more satisfying by the addition of these gorgeous panels. I just goes to show, in the right hands a graphic novel adaptation can be brilliant. I'm just glad Leah Moore understood that.
Let it be known that I'm still not certain if this is an ongoing series or not. What I do know, is that this particular TPB collects the four issues of this comic that currently exist. Boy-1 deals with that very gray area that lies between helping and hurting the human race. Is DNA alteration okay if it's meant to help? Does changing a person's inherent cellular structure, if it's meant to save them, make sense? This, and more, are explored in this comic, and I was pretty darn intrigued.
Okay, so first things first. The story so far, which is why I question if this is an ongoing series, is pretty thin. While I absolutely loved the concept of Boy-1, it felt really rushed. There was barely any time at all to get to know Jadas, our main character. I clung to the pieces that I did know. Drug-addict. Heir to a huge genetic research company. A little off, in more ways than one. As Jadas struggled to uncover what was going on, I found myself constantly questioning everything. I wanted more meat. More plot. It felt like this was barely skimming the surface of Jadas' past and, quite honestly, it really killed the vibe of this whole read. I love Sci Fi. I think the concept of genetic research is utterly fascinating. Why not spend more time playing all of that up?
Which brings me to the art, and the reason why I kept on reading. I have to say, Amancay Nahuelpan is quite the illustrator. I loved the movement of the panels, the excellent facial features on all the characters, and the way that this whole dystopian world slowly unfolded in front of me. Were it not for the stellar art, I might have stopped reading. I'm glad I didn't though, because the ending was enough to keep me wondering.
Where to begin? Leigh Russell isn't a new author to me, although this is the first book that I've read written by her. My mom has been a fan of Russell's “Geraldine Steel” series for a long time. So when this book came up for review, I wanted to give it a try. I'm not the biggest mystery buff, but I'm always willing to give the genre a try now and then.
Credit where credit is due, I think the biggest draw to this story was that the setting is absolutely lavish in the way that it's written. I've never been to the Seychelles, but Russell described the people, the food, and the atmosphere so vividly that I felt as if I'd known the place all my life. The fact that she included things as small as the look of a sunset over a landmark, or the occurrence of tropical rainstorms that were there and gone in a flash, made it a place I could easily get lost in. I honestly felt a bit jealous of Lucy. I'd love to experience that for myself.
The story itself, however, didn't hold that same sway over me. It took so long to get going in the beginning that, by the time things were in motion, I wasn't as invested as I had originally been. Lucy's story was simple enough. A woman who has been unlucky in love, and is eager to escape all her worries. I appreciated that Russell laid out Lucy's family history with the islands, before bringing her there as an adult. It was interesting to see how things tied back to the past. The pacing was really slow though. I was so eager for forward movement that I had to keep stopping myself from trying to skim read. I needed more action.
Add in the fact that the characters never really felt fully solid, and you'll see why I rated this three stars. It was an okay read, but it didn't catch up me as much as I wanted it to. I see a lot of potential in Leigh Russell's writing though. I think I'll pick up her Geraldine Steel detective series instead, since I have an affinity for the hard boiled detective types. Still, this is a fairly easy read and a good way to spend a few hours. Especially if you're a mystery lover.
I must admit that I've never read Love and Other Unknown Variables, despite much love being heaped upon it by many a reader that I trust. When Life After Juliet was offered to me for review, and I realized that Shannon Lee Alexander had written this as a companion novel, I couldn't wait to dive in! I figured it would be a great way to get to know these characters, and to see if I'd be interested in learning more about Charlotte. The outcome? Someone get me Alexander's other book, stat. I'm hooked, and I don't care who knows it.
One of the things that I love most about Contemporary novels is that the characters have to deal with real world problems. I feel like it makes it that much easier to sink into their lives as I'm reading. In the case of Becca, I fell hard for her character the moment I met her. Watching her hide behind her books, favoring the people and places in books instead of the outside world, I totally understood where she was coming from. In books, people are always there. You can flip a few pages back, and make everything better again. You can skip the sad endings. In life, that's unfortunately not the case. Becca's anxiety over losing what's left of her best friend, her unwillingness to deal with the unknown, I felt it all and it broke me.
What's beautiful about Life After Juliet though is the message. Becca learns, through a ton of lessons she'd never expected to face, that moving forward is the only thing you can do. Sure, she stumbles a lot. She wavers. She even tries to give up. Except she doesn't, and her growth is just a wonderful thing. I laughed with her. Cried with her. Felt my heart rip out of my chest when she confessed to being afraid to let anyone else in. By far, my favorite part of this whole book though was her relationship with Max. No spoilers here, but this was the most honest relationship I've seen in a book in a long time. Be still, my heart.
I don't hand out five star ratings easily, but Life After Juliet can't be rated any other way. This book was gorgeous! It was raw, gritty, and the perfect glimpse into the life of someone who is just trying to make the pieces fit together after a big part of them was ripped away. I can't wait to get a copy of Alexander's first book, and meet Charlotte. With how much Becca loves her, I know that I will too.
Full disclosure, I totally picked this up because it's a new story from Max Brooks. I've read The Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z cover to cover numerous times, and I'm always impressed with the way he writes. This man knows his zombies, and he shows it. So when I saw his name on the cover of this graphic novel? I had to read it. It wasn't even a choice, it was a necessity.
True to form, Brooks has once again changed up the zombie apocalypse story line. This time the “subdead” are front and center, but there are no human survivors. No small packs of people fighting for their lives. Instead, our main characters are two female vampires who are used to a life of luxury. They've seen the world change, they've gotten comfortable with the way things work, and then suddenly there's a wrench in their lives. What does a vampire do when there are no more victims? When zombies are the new rulers of the Earth?
I loved the story line concept, but sadly I wasn't a fan of the execution. I say this a lot, but illustrations have a ton to do with my interest in a graphic novel. In order to draw me in, a graphic novel has to marry the writing and the illustrations together in perfect harmony. That being said, my biggest complaint about The Extinction Parade: Vol 1 was actually the illustrations. They were so stylized, so glitzy. As much as I think that absolutely relates to the vampires who were front and center, it didn't translate so much to their zombie counterparts. There's a line where zombies stop looking cool, and start looking odd.
My other issue was that this first story arc for Volume 1 is so short. It introduces the concept, and then ends before anything actually happens. I felt so disappointed when I reached the end and realized... well, that it was the ending. The whole novel builds anticipation, teasing you with the chance to see what the world would be like when it's vampires vs. zombies, and then it just ends. Leaving me, the reader, rather upset. I'll admit that, yes, I did pout. I was so looking forward to something that just never came.
That does mean, however, that I'll probably give Volume 2 a shot. My interest has been piqued enough that I'll likely come back for more. For now, Volume 1 of The Extinction Parade gets three stars.
Welcome to the elven world of Sevrigel. A world that is as beautiful as it is corrupt. The elven city of Elvorium has become so corrupted by the politicians who rule it, that it seems to most that there is no coming back. Until, that is, Prince Hairem ascends the throne. While J.J. Sherwood's Kings or Pawns is definitely Epic Fantasy, it's also filled with all manner of political intrigue and moral discussions. If you're looking for a book that is as deep as it is descriptive, look no further. This is your next read.
Now I feel it only fair to warn potential readers that this is definitely first and foremost a political thriller. The inner workings of the elven council play a huge role in this story, going so far as to discuss the actual battle plans that are being arranged. Everything is described in perfect detail. Which means, happily, that this book works equally well for readers of both genres. Trust me when I say that Sherwood doesn't skimp on the world building at all. Kings or Pawns is vividly written, with settings that pop off of the page. So Epic Fantasy readers will be content, and those who love political intrigue will also be content. It's truly a win/win situation.
The characters will probably steal your heart either way. While there are multiple POVs present in this story, Jikun and Hairem get the lion's share of the spotlight. Not that I'm complaining, as both of them were wonderful characters. Jikun is extremely brave, loyal to a fault, and full of the kind of opinions that make him blasphemous to some and level headed to others. I loved his character. His bantering with Nevon was giggle worthy, but then in the next chapter he'd be placed in a situation that made his valiant nature shine through. The fact that he was so three dimensional, faults and all, made him easy to follow along with. Hairem is much the same. Being of noble blood, and tasked to lead his people, his character was even more faceted. Hairem is intelligent and kind, but not afraid to stand up for what he believes in. The fact that Sherwood didn't let up on him, but instead had many other character agendas coming at him from all sides. It made him a much more vivid character, and I was proud to follow him through this adventure.
As for plot, well that would take ages and many more paragraphs than I have the energy to write to fully gush over. The fact that there is so much of a political spin to this book is perfection, because the fantasy portion of it slides right beneath it, skimming right under the surface. Before you know it there are dragons, mythical beasts to slay, and even magic. Yet because of the beautifully articulated world of Sevrigel, and how structured the lives of the elves are, it feels like it has one foot in reality. I've read plenty of books with massive maps, and large character rosters. It takes a really good writer to make that palatable on such a huge scale, and J.J. Sherwood manages just that.
There were a few things I would have loved to see more of, mainly our female characters who are amazing but don't get too much face time. Ilsafel especially is a character that I'd love to see more of. Any female character who is as versed in politics, and as intelligent, as her male counterpart makes me smile. I also felt like the ending fell a tiny bit shy of the epic conclusion I was hoping for. That's a mild complaint though, because all this build up is pushing towards the second book and I can't wait.
Well now, this was a lot of fun! I already knew that June and I would get along famously. After all, she's an accomplished Oxford professor, loves her grumpy old grandfather, and simply wants to make a name for herself in the world of archaeology. What's not to love? My only hope was that her journey would be just as exciting as she was shaping up to be. Happily, that was exactly the case!
Massive love goes to Emily Harper for crafting such enjoyable characters. Although I already knew I'd love June, it was really her grandfather that stole my heart. His giggle worthy attempts at complimenting June, his deep dislike of trousers (I feel you on that, Professor), and his need to keep his accomplishments in the forefront of his mind, were all things that endeared him to me. Pairing him with June, who just didn't know how to handle him at all times, was perfection. I loved watching them interact, and thought he added a perfect spice to the mystery!
Now, the mystery itself, shall we? I thought Harper did a brilliant job at laying out all the breadcrumbs as June fell further down the rabbit hole. From the moment she was inducted into the secret “Alliance” guarding the shield, I knew that things were going to get interesting. What I didn't expect was how much fun this whole mystery would be. As June and her rather unusual entourage searched for answers, I breathlessly followed after them. There was the perfect amount of humor, mixed in with all the action. As I said, a ton of fun.
Am I ready for the next book? Absolutely, I am! Which, thankfully, I also have in my possession. Expect to see a review of that book as well, very soon. While you wait, pick up June Jenson and the Shield of Quell! It's well worth your time!
The Beltane Escape manages to seamlessly blend together a bit of magic, a bit of myth, and a whole lot of historical fiction. Although I'm not generally a fan of most historical fiction, if you throw in just enough magic to make it a Fantasy novel I'll gladly snatch it up! I'm happy to say that Ariella Moon succeeded at doing just that.
When I first opened this book, and found myself in the middle of a fight between The Lady of the Lake and Merlin, I knew this would be something I'd be interested in. In fact, had it been a story solely about those two, I would have been thrilled. I was soon introduced to Lady Fenella though, the protagonist of this book, and I slowly warmed up to her. A young heiress to a massive thanedom, Lady Fenella's life has never really been her own. I felt for her, and was eager to learn more about her.
Which actually brings me to the fact that Ariella Moon does an excellent job of slowly building her characters. Instead of throwing all the information out at once, I grew to know Fenella better over the course of the book. I saw her strength right out of the gate, but the more I read the more I saw what a complex person she was. It was the same with all the characters, in fact. The fact that there were no infodumps felt nice. It allowed me to get lost in the story.
In terms of plot, that's where this book and I had a bit of a falling out. The story itself is well-paced, regarding both pacing and characterization. However it never felt as exciting as I felt it should. I wanted more tension, more excitement. Once the Fairy Folk came into play, things picked up a lot. Still, the writing never really grabbed me. I felt like someone looking in, rather than being an actual part of the story.
I can forgive all of that though, because the ending was fabulous. I love endings that aren't necessarily a cliffhanger, but more of an elipsis. Endings that aren't frustrating, but actually leave you excited for more. Lady Fenella has my attention! I'd follow her further down the rabbit hole for sure.
Can we please all just take a minute to gush over the stunning cover that envelops Under A Million Stars? I can't deny that I had a massive case of cover lust when I first set eyes upon it. What really caught my eye though was that this was a story about friends who had grown apart. About a secret, something so massive, that it tore what was supposed to be a forever friendship into two halves. I'm definitely addicted to these kinds of stories. I always find myself eagerly awaiting the fix, and the happily ever after.
I should start with the fact that both Charlotte and Jacob aren't the easiest characters to love, especially at first. They grew on me as I read though, so definitely don't give up too quickly. Charlotte is a talented pianist, who has recently lost her family in a car accident. As such, she's about as withdrawn and self pitying as you might expect. It's hard not to grant her a bit of slack, since she's just had her whole world turned upside down. Jacob, on the other hand, was a lot harder to forgive for the first half of the book. As Charlotte's former best friend, you'd expect that he'd be the one to be there for her in her time of need. Instead, he spends a good portion of beginning of this story treating her like dirt. It was maddening. I knew that it was building up to something else, but it didn't make me like Jacob any more. In fact, it took me until the last quarter of the book to even enjoy his character.
In all fairness to the plot though, which is rather interesting, that kind of tension needed to be built. Although I wish it had been done a bit more organically, it was wonderful to slowly uncover why these two had fallen so far apart. I saw a girl who was struggling with finding her place in a world that didn't contain her family. I saw a boy who didn't know who he was without his best friend, but didn't know how to put all of that back together. In truth, you could actually see the ice between these two slowly start to melt and that, above all else, was what endeared me to them. I'm a sucker for repaired relationships, especially when they're so important to both parties.
There were definitely a lot of scenes in this book that had me tearing up. It deals a lot with depression, with guilt over the loss of family members, and with the secrets that families manage to keep from one another. I was also giddy over the fact that Jacob didn't once allow Charlotte to do anything she'd regret, while she was depressed. Let's be honest, chivalrous guys like that are few and far between in books. That's always a win for me.
So, final verdict? I'd say that this book will probably genuinely appeal to fans of contemporary fiction that is full of emotional turmoil. I had a little trouble sinking in at first, but by the mid point I was more than happy to continue on. I'd give Under A Million Stars a solid three star rating.
This is a perfect case of “It's not you, it's me.” when it comes to books. So let me start out by stating that Janell Rhiannon has done her research. It's apparent, from the moment that you open this book, that Song of Princes is prepared to take you deep into the Homeric legends. Although this is absolutely a retelling, the broad strokes of legend are vivid and spot on. The reader is pulled into a story of the ages. A story surrounding would be Kings and warriors, all leading up to the fall of Troy. If that sounds like your cup of tea, you're in for a treat.
What I really enjoyed about this story, more than anything, was the detailed characterization that Rhiannon put into each and every character. From the moment that Paris is born, the story that is woven around him brings every aspect of his character to life. I was so impressed at how quickly I fell into step with him, especially since I'm not much of a study in Homeric legends. The same was true of Achilles, of Hektor, and of Odysseus. I wasn't allowed to feel lost while reading this, despite my lack of previous knowledge. The story took my hand, and led me into this world of gods and goddesses.
The story itself is, quite honestly, a little dense. I'm not generally a reader of things historically based though so, again, this will probably very much suit anyone who is. The pacing is definitely spot on, however. Events are laid out in this pace that lies in that perfect space where nothing is ever boring. There's always something new coming to light, or a new character to meet. I have to say that the dialogue is what I really had the most difficult time with. It feels stilted, and unnatural. I've read books from different time periods before, and I know how easy it is to fall into that trap. Especially because, as I mentioned above, there's a lot of information to fit into a smaller amount of pages. Still, this was the one thing that really kept me from falling as deeply into the story as I wish I could have.
Truth be told, I know that this is a series that many readers are going to love. I don't blame them one bit. It's tough to take something that's already a legend, and mold it to your own devices. Rhiannon has accomplished just that. Readers who love this kind of book, filled with fate and fortune, will likely fall in love with Song of Princes as well.
This book was adorable! I'm always on the lookout for transition books, those stories that bring young readers from picture books into the world of chapter books. When I was offered Puppy Pirates: Catnapped! for review, I eagerly snatched it up! Pirates, puppies and kittens? I'm honestly not sure there's anything more adorable to be added.
While this book is the third in a series, it's not hard to pick it up and just start reading along. I was introduced to the crew of The Salty Bone, a pirate ship full of adorable puppies and one lucky little boy. Sailing the seas, having all manner of adventures, and getting into the type of mischief that will made young readers giggle with delight. I admit, I'm an adult and I was smiling. It's hard not to.
The balance between illustrations and story are spot on, as are the length of the chapters themselves. I picture this as the perfect story to read before bed over a few evenings. It even has that sweet little lesson that comes along with most books aimed at this age group, and it isn't too heavy handed. Final verdict? Adorable! I'd recommend this to readers in transition who love adventure and excitement!
Looking for an out of the box read? I'll happily start this review by saying that this book will satisfy that need. Phoebe Kitanidis has done it yet again, writing a book that will keep you reading well into the wee hours of the morning. My attention was caught instantly by the fact that these two teens wake up in such an odd situation. I kept wondering how they could have completely forgotten everything. As I read on I realized that things were just a little too perfect in the town of Summer Falls. Ghosts, mystery...heatnaps? Oh yes. That's what you'll find inside Glimmer and so much more!
This story is told in alternating points of view, which actually works really well in the overall flow of things. Both Elyse and Marshall are vivid characters with just enough difference in their voices to make them easier to discern. Which is important, because a lot of times they will have the same thoughts. It's eerie, and slightly sweet. Still, what I loved was watching their struggle. As Elyse and Marshall discover who they once were, they realize how much they dislike those people. The reader gets to follow along as they figure out how to fight back and become better.
In case you're worried that Glimmer is all ghosts and no romance, let me assure you that there is a romance here. It just so happens to be a beautifully broken one. Here we have two people fighting to figure out where they came from, while working together to figure out where to go next. Elyse and Marshall have a lot of tough moments in the story (and some creepy ones as well), but Kitanidis balances it out with a bit of sweetness too. These two have their fair share of adorable moments together, and it makes everything even more worthwhile.
I'd love to say more, but I don't want to give anything away! The ghosts in this book are especially fantastic and different, but if I say more you won't have that part to uncover. So instead I'll just say that this is a read that is well worth your time! If you are looking for something outside the box. If you need a paranormal that strays away from the usual zombies, vampires and werewolves, pick up a copy of Glimmer. Just be prepared to read all night.
Are you looking for a fun read that will fly by? I'd definitely consider picking up a copy of Smash & Grab! Seriously, this book was a ton of fun to read. If you're willing to suspend disbelief for a bit, and just fall into the story head first, you're going to love reading this. Getting caught up in dangerous stunts and crazy heists is a really pleasant way to spend a few hours.
First off, I fell pretty hard for Lexi and Christian. As I said above, you kind of have to suspend disbelief a little bit to be able to fully appreciate their epic stories. Lexi is the rich girl, whose life is on the brink of falling apart. She seeks adrenaline rushes to deal with her anxiety, and does some fairly intense stuff. Base jumping terrifies me, but Lexi makes it sound like a walk in the park. Christian is the boy whose circumstances have kept his family down. His mom works hard to make money, he works hard to get good grades so he can get into college, but both of those things just aren't paying the bills. So he robs banks, to ensure his family's safety and cash flow.
These two were so different, but I could tell right from the start that Parker was working hard to make their chemistry real. In fact, the first time these two actually interacted I saw some sparks! It's wonderful when a story actually cares about making a relationship real, even if in this case the story itself might be a little over the top. The other wonderful part was that the romance aspect of this isn't even overwhelming. The focus is on Lexi, Christian, and the heist they need to pull off. If there's romance along the way, well that's just how it works.
My only real complaint about Smash & Grab was the ending. I had so much fun the entire ride, but that ending just wrapped things up much too succinctly and easily. It was a little too perfect to feel realistic. I mean, obviously the entire book is a bit like that. Christian and his buddies make robbing a bank feel like anyone could do it. Like it's just a small thing you do, and then escape. I was willing to let go of all that though, because I was enjoying the ride. I just wish the ending had a little more tension, after all the build up.
Still, this is a really solid read! As I said, if you're looking for something action packed and full of potential, this is one to add to your TBR.
Argh, so on the fence about this book. On the one hand, The Things They've Taken has a lot going for it. It's equal parts creepy and humorous, the characters are well fleshed out, and the story itself will keep you reading on well into the night! On the other hand, I'm not a fan of instalove or characters who are overly indecisive. So, again, on the fence! Let me try to break it down for you.
This story starts off at a manic pace, as Lo sets out on her mission to save her mother. I was riveted as she navigated the world of the demons, and learned how to bargain with these terrifying beings. McElhenney does an excellent job of building up the tension and anxiety, even from the beginning, to a point where you're just as worried as Lo is. After all, it's her mom who is missing and she has no idea how to get her back. That in itself is a terrifying thought.
Now let's talk instalove. I know that there are plenty of readers out there who don't mind it, and so I'm here to tell you that this book is definitely well worth your time! Unfortunately, I'm the type of reader who can't stand characters who whine and pine, as I like to call it. So I was a little disappointed that Dolores went that route. She starts out as this amazing character who is tons stronger and I would ever be, in her situation. Then Shaw enters the picture, and suddenly she's an impulsive, jealous and fairly tough to love character. Why is it that hunky paranormal boys tend to do that to YA girls?
The other issue I had, and this honestly bothered me a bit more than the instalove, was the fact that this book ends without tying up all the loose ends. Admittedly, there's a pretty amazing twist towards the end that I didn't see coming, but I really wanted more closure before the story was over. I suppose this means that there will be more of Dolores' story to come, but it's a little frustrating to be left out in the cold like that. Let's hope this isn't over yet!
For the introduction of some great mythos and a paranormal story that hooked me and kept me reading to the end, I'll happily offer up a three star rating to The Things They've Taken. Fans of paranormal romance novels will love this one, and will be pleasantly surprised at how much action actually happens here! If you're a fan of broody and hunky paranormal boys, then this is the book for you.
With good looks, charisma, and plenty of wealth to spare, Aiden Markusson definitely seems to be leading a charmed existence. When he's first introduced to the reader, there's no doubt that Aiden is just an abnormally lucky guy. That is, until the “complications” begin. Terrible headaches are normal, but headaches accompanied by sensory distortion and freakish strength? Maybe not so normal. So begins Aiden's descent into a world filled with mercenaries, bio-mechanical beings, and more danger than he ever thought possible.
Massive kudos to Turner for setting Aiden up as such a richly drawn human being at the beginning of this story. His kindness, doubts, and deep love for his fiance wove together a man who that was impossible to ignore and easy to like. I enjoyed the fact that Aiden was more than just a rich mogul. He had a heart, and soul. Which made it that much more emotional to watch him slowly discover his true nature. It would have been easy to skim right over that, but Turner didn't settle.
Honestly, that's true of the majority of this book. Every chance to skim over something key, Turner ignored. Aiden's insanely accurate assessment of situations meant that most scenes that were described in crisp detail. For the most part this was absolutely wonderful. Especially when it came to epic fight scenes! The downside was that our darling Aiden also got a bit introspective quite often. Being in his head wasn't easy, and when he mulled over the same problem for a few paragraphs, it got to be a little much at times.
I can, however, attest to the fact that Genesis is a beautifully accessible Science Fiction book. The drawn out descriptions are one of the reasons why that's so true. There were no dense scientific explanations. Instead, the reader was treated to a front row seat as Aiden discovered how his body worked. The whole book takes an action based approach to all explanations. I supposed you'd describe as learning, but with high stakes involved. That, in my opinion, was exactly what made this book such a compulsive read.
About half way through is when this book really starts to shine. The twists come one after another, each one perfectly placed and hitting like a punch to the gut. After being so hooked on Aiden as a character, and invested in his survival, this was where I found myself reading breathlessly. The latter half of this book reads much like an action movie, except without the terrible dialogue. Every move that Aiden made, each one of his adversaries introduced, every motivation described, all of it was lush and well-written. Turner does an excellent job of creating realistic characters, while still staying firmly in the world of bio-mechanical madness that he's created. It's a thing of beauty.
So, final verdict? If you're a fan of Science Fiction, particularly with an action fueled twist, this will be a book that you'll greatly enjoy. Despite any small qualms I may have had, overall this was a wonderful read. I'd definitely give this a space on your reading list!
Zombies! Let it be known that if you offer me a book revolving around zombies for review, I'll likely snatch it up. I love the visceral nature of stories like Greene's. Watching people fight against not only impossible odds, but against the someone who is essentially the darkest part of themselves. Zombies are terrifying because they are us. Our friends, our neighbors, even our children. It's a great jumping off point for a story, but it's up to the author to bring it home.
Which Daniel Greene did, and did extremely well. This story was paced out perfectly. From the moment that I was dropped in the middle of the Congo, I was immersed. Greene lays out just enough scientific background, to make the spread of this disease feel realistic. As the story progressed, and I got to know our cast of characters better, I realized that Greene is simply excellent at giving just enough information without bogging things down. I always felt like I knew what was going on, and it made this an easy and exciting read.
What made End Time even better, was Agent Mark Steele. I'm used to zombie stories through the eyes of survivors. Mere people who were caught up in the madness. Mark is tough. A kind, thoughtful guy who is used to violence and the unpredictable. You'd think it would have made him the perfect candidate for this kind of event. Which is what makes this story so raw. A man who should be prepared, who realizes that he isn't. If he's not, what chance to we stand? Looking through the eyes of Steele, through the eyes of someone who is trained for anything and is still terrified, took this story to a whole new level.
My one gripe, and it's a small one, is that I really didn't like Gwen's attitude towards things. I was impressed at how much spotlight was on Mark's wife, and how brilliant she was taking care of herself. After all, zombie books often focus on the men being the keepers of the women. Still, Gwen had that typical female attitude that drives me crazy in zombie stories. I wanted to see her being strong, and rational. Not whiny, and irresponsible.
I'm glad that there's more of this to come! End Time surprised me with how well-written and fascinating it was. I'm ready to follow Agent Steele wherever he goes next.
It's been a while since I sat down and read a romance novel. I open with that thought because you need to understand why it took me a while to settle in to Cake At Midnight. Expecting a fun and food filled romance, I was instantly smitten with Gio and her glowing personality. However as soon as Declan entered the picture, well, let's just kindly say that I didn't get their connection. This book has a lot more drama than I expected and, while that's not necessarily a bad thing, I felt like it took me a while to really get on board with it.
Before anything else though, let me praise Jessie L. Star for creating such a wonderful character in Gio. Her passion for baking, her deep love for her friends (even when they might not quite deserve it), and her endlessly glowing personality all had me smitten. Gio is the type of main character that we'd all love to be friends with. She's the character who you cry for, cheer for, and yell at all in the same ten minute span. In other words, Gio is a human. I loved her for that.
In the same respect, despite my disdain for Declan, all the other characters feel distinctly human as well. They love, they loathe, they make mistakes, and they forgive. It's no surprise that Theo steals center stage once he's introduced. Starting as the stoic “Nod Next Door”, and slowly moving towards someone that Gio genuinely feels for, he was definitely someone that I adored. It's always nice to see a relationship on the page that isn't perfect, and takes real time and work to create. While I didn't agree with all of the choices the characters made in this book, I can say that at least I understood them.
My biggest issue with this story was that it felt slightly too long. The drama that unfolded between Theo and his family, and then between Declan and Theo, started to feel a little forced. That and I'm not sure I was entirely satisfied with Gio's growth by the end of the book. She started as a character who was too willing to let her friend walk all over her, and she ended not too far from where she started. I understand happily ever after endings, I just wish Gio had gained a bit more backbone. I know, it's romance. I'm being nitpicky. Still, I admit that would have made me extremely happy.
Overall, this was a sweet and well-written read. If you're looking for a foodie romance, with realistic characters, add Cake At Midnight to your reading list.
Absolutely stunning. Rising Tides peaked my interest with its premise, but totally blew me away with the execution. Katy Haye has some serious writing chops! Dystopia was getting to be a bogged down genre for me. Too much of the same thing being done over and over, plus a lot of characters that I just couldn't get behind. Haye managed to smash right through that preconception, and I couldn't be happier.
What struck me right away about Rising Tides was how human Liberty was, as a character. She was loving towards her father, skeptical of new people, slightly selfish at times, and yet completely understanding of that fact that she could come off as cold. Liberty was a real person. Someone flawed, who could accept that, and try to make the best decisions for herself at the time. I can't deny that initially her privileged attitude bothered me. That was soon replaced by acceptance and awe though, the further into this journey that she traveled. It's nice to see a character who actually grows and, better yet, uses that knowledge to do something right.
Then there was Cosimo. The reamer boy, the shunned, the initial bane of Liberty's existence. I loved how Haye pushed these two together, but no in an uncomfortable way. There was no insta-love here. No crazy flight into a random relationship. Instead, these two had to learn to get along. They had to understand one another, and make compromises. I loved watching their little relationship grow. Plus, well, Cosimo is pretty dreamy. Reamer boy or not. These two stole my heart with little to no effort.
Oh, and the plot! I could gush for days about the way that the idea of political subterfuge was handled here. People blindly following a leader, simply because he promises to keep them safe. Never questioning whether he has their best interests at heart. Things were so perfectly paced here. Just enough action, interspersed with real human interactions. This book flew by, and I was honestly sad when I'd finished.
Is there more? I hope there's more. I would love to see if Cosimo and Liberty get a happy ever after. They would definitely deserve it.
This is such a wonderful story! I'm pleased as punch that requesting the second book in this series for review, and then finding out that I needed to read Dominion first, put this on my radar. You all know how much I love a good Middle Grade book! Dominion is wonderful. Molly Stout is wonderful. So please pardon me while I gush a bit.
In this reader's opinion, the best part about Dominion is Molly herself. Although there's a lot of other parts that are definitely worth gushing about, Molly reigns supreme as the reason this book is so easy to love. I adored Molly's passion, empathy, and the fact that she had just enough reckless bravery to really make things fun. Better still, there's so much growth that happens in this book. From learning that preconceived notions aren't always healthy, to learning that it's okay to love someone and not forgive them, there are messages in this book that I found so important for this age group. Molly's family isn't perfect, her life isn't easy, but she shows how strength and perseverance are what change things for the better.
As for the setting itself, I think the technology of Dominion is truly what sets it apart from a lot of the other MG Fantasy that I've read. Instead of being Steampunk, I'd pin this book more as “Spiritpunk”. Molly's world is one that floats in the clouds and sees spirits as fuel. Which, as I mentioned above, allows for this grey area that Arbuthnott really uses as part of Molly's awakening. I could close my eyes and picture massive ships floating in the clouds. To say that it was easy to get caught up in this book is an understatement.
My only issue, and it's a small one, was that there were some loose ends upon finishing. The ending felt a bit like it was rushing to tie as many things up as possible, while setting the stage for a cliffhanger. I know that there's another book on the horizon though, and so I'm willing to be patient! I'm more than happy to follow Molly, no matter where she might go.
Ah, to be young again. When I first met Leda, the protagonist of An Italian Adventure, I instantly took a liking to her. Leda, or Lee as she prefers to be called, struggles with the age old problem that faces all tomboys at some point in their lives. The point where being “one of the guys” no longer holds the easy sway that it once did. That time in the life of a girl where boys become interesting in a different way, and all those feelings get mixed up in your brain. The time when, out of the blue, one of your friends starts to feel like more than just a friend. I went through this same thing when I was around Leda's age! And so, she and I became fast friends.
The biggest draw to this story for me, besides Leda's character of course, was the setting. Italy in the late 80's came to life on these pages. I was smitten with the carefree way that children bounded off to go play with no prior plans. Climbing trees, racing bikes, getting up to all types of mischief that happened well away from the eyes of their parents. As someone who never experienced that, I was enchanted by their freedom. So much growth was allowed to happen. So many lessons learned. It was a great look into the way that our experiences shape us.
I also very much liked the dynamic of Leda's family, since it was so realistic. Her mother and father weren't perfect. Viola, the older sister, made poor decisions at times and exhibited teenage emotions. In fact, every piece of Leda's family made sense to me. I liked that Gaia wasn't afraid to touch on the idea that families can be whole, and show love, without always being perfectly shiny on the outside. It was refreshing to see a family that had some flaws, and some cracks, and still held it together just the same.
So why the three star rating? Honestly, the way An Italian Adventure is actually written was the culprit. I believe that the aim was to look at the world through the eyes of Leda, a day at a time. Almost as if she was penning it all down in a diary. The downside to this was that it felt very choppy. There wasn't a ton of narrative flow between one section of thoughts, and the next. Sometimes Leda's thoughts were just so jumbled that I had a hard time getting through them. That's not to say that wouldn't be entirely accurate. Still, it made it more difficult to fully immerse myself in the book.
Overall, I'd say this is a solid read. If you like stories that are full of growth and life lessons, with a smattering of humor, this is definitely for you.
One of the best things about short stories is how easy they are to get immersed in. You can start from any part of the book, and there's just as much to enjoy. It does, however, take a particular talent to be able to write really vivid story in such a short amount of pages. There is a limited amount of time to build a setting, characters, and just enough tension for a twist. Susan Berliner easily shows that she has the ability to do just that. Her stories in this book vary in tone and content, but they're all rather solidly written and a ton of fun to read! This is a great way to spend a few hours.
I have to say, although I'm partial to the ones that are a bit on the scarier side, every story in this book has its own distinct brand of whimsy or terror. From chilling mirror images, to fairy tale lives, to a world of dark dreams that comes to life, there is so much to explore in Berliner's world. There was a little taste of each kind of story, which really showcased the author's writing ability. The fact that each story, despite the topic, was just as solidly written was really impressive.
In fact, it was wholly impressive that all of the characters were so well written. Despite the short amount of time I had to get to know each of them, I really did feel like I knew just who they were. It was a lot of fun to try to figure out where the twist in each of these stories would be. Honestly, most of the time I was completely wrong about where I thought they were going. Which, of course, made it that much more fun! It's always fantastic to be a little blindsided, especially when the story ends with a moment that makes your jaw drop a bit.
If you're looking for a short story compilation with a little bit of everything, this is one that you need to add to your reading list.
It feels like Clare had a general idea of what she wanted to write in Ink, Iron and Glass. Perhaps even a set of rough character sketches, since the characters are fairly well fleshed out. It just didn't feel like it was ever hammered into anything solid. There were a lot of fabulous concepts in this story but, truth be told, they didn't follow a cohesive path. For instance, worldbooks were a really cool concept to me. The ability to create an entire functioning world, simply by scribing it into one of these, sounded like something I'd normally fall in love with. The problem was that the descriptions of this process only skimmed the surface through the whole story. I never saw deeper than the idea itself, and that was the case for most of what would have normally caught my interest.
The pace feels maddeningly slow for most of the book, and then picks up in a mad rush to the end. It was really hard to feel invested in the story. Each time that I thought something was starting to peak my interest, the book would meander away on a tangent and my questions went unanswered. I was left holding a handful of story threads, rather than the tapestry that I know they were trying so hard to weave.
So 2 stars to this book, because I only 1 star books I didn't finish. I finished this, but it was a rough road.
Okay, this book was adorable! I admit I was kind of wondering how Craig Robinson was going to tackle a Middle Grade book, since his humor is usually more on the adult side, but I shouldn't have worried at all. Jake the Fake Keeps it Real manages to fit some real life middle school hardships and lesson in, while still being utterly hilarious. Impressive sirs. Thoroughly impressive.
See, Jake feels like a fake in his new magnet music and art school. Kids who excel at everything from peanut stacking (yes, I cracked up at that too) to singing opera are all around him, and he has no idea where he really fits in. Sound like a normal middle school experience? Yup, I thought so too. What sets Jake apart is that he's lucky enough to have a best friend who tells him like it is. Lo and behold, when Jake starts listening and stops trying so hard, he actually starts having a lot of fun!
It would be totally unfair not to mention Keith Knight's illustrations in this book. They are on practically every page and they really bring the humor home. Sure, hearing about an eccentric teacher is a lot of fun. Seeing him illustrated in a hilarious manner though? Way more fun! Plus the thoughts in Jake's head are illustrated in all their glory (and randomness), making this so much more amusing than I expected. If your young reader loves the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, they'll love this!
Funny, heartfelt, and with a great message, Jake the Fake Keeps it Real stole my heart! I'm now eagerly waiting for more, and I know that your young reader will be too.